Cap



May 13, 1941. E. M. ENKUR 2,241,588

CAP

Filed Jan. 28, 194; 3 Sheets-Sheet l I n as ni'or:

Edugamd MEnkur,

May 13, 1941. E. M. ENKUR CAP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, 1941 Edward J {..E'7zkar,

y I E. M. ENKUR 2,241,588

CAP

Filed Jan. 28, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 13, 1941 CAP Edward. M. Enkur, Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application January 28, 1941, Serial No. 376,389

Claims.

This invention relates to closure caps of the I snap-on type applicable to the mouths of con-- tainers to provide a seal for the same, the application being a continuation-in-part of Serial No. 276,478 filed May 29, 1939. While not limited to such use, the new closure is particularly effective as applied to containers, such as tumblers,

with a mouth surrounded by a small external bead. In the case of tumblers, the manufacturing tolerances are extreme, and it is the main purpose of the invention to provide a closure which will accommodate itself to the maximum and minimum tolerances encountered in such containers.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I shall describe it with reference to and container of Figure 1 enlarged about ten times, assumed to be taken on a line substantially as at 2-4, Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a section substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2 enlarged about five times ascoinpared to Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial axial section of the cap and container of Figure 1 on the scale of Figure 2 and assumed to be taken on a line substantially as at H, Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section similar to that of Figure 3 showing a modification;

Figure 6 is a section like that of Figure 2 showing a further modification;

Figure 7 is a partial section substantially on line of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partial elevation of the cap of Figures 6 and '7;

Figure 9 is a section like that of Figure 2 showing a still further form of cap;

Figure 14 is a section, enlarged, on line l4|l of Figure 15, and v Figure 15 is a partial elevation of a cap modified in detail over the cap of Figure 1 1.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, the new cap,

which may be readily formed by the rolling method, for example, is generally designated by the reference numeral l 0. It comprises a circular top H and a depending skirt 12 of resilient cap metal.

A container, for example, a tumbler, generally designated by the reference numeral 13, has a rounded beaded upper edge I4 presenting a downwardly faced locking shoulder l5. I

The top I l 'of the cap has a diameter substantially greater than the maximum diameter of the oeaded edge I4. The skirt has a substantially cylindrical portion [6 and therebelow is bent inwardly to provide an upwardly flaring portion I1 and then outwardly to form a downwardly fiaring portion IS, the portions I1 and .i8 merging in an intermediate blunt edge l9.. Portion I8 is continued downwardly in an inwardly and downwardly directed annular flange 20. Below portion IS the skirt is provided throughout with corrugations II which, as here shown, are in axial planes. The minimum inner diameter of edge 19 between the lug formation is somewhat greater than the maximum diameter of the beaded container edge when the latter is of maximum tolerance.

At spaced points around its circumference the edge corrugations are inset to provide lug formations 22 whose inner ends lie in a circle of less diameter than that of the maximum circle of the beaded container edge whether the beaded edge be of maximum or minimum tolerance or anywhere between the two. The minimum circle of the lug formations is of less diameter than the circle of the lower inner edge of flange 20.

A compressible gasket 23 is retained in the cylindrical portion l6 of the cap by means of the underlying inwardly bent portion H.

In the application of the cap, the same is placed over the beaded edge l4, flange 20 passing the beaded edge without interference. The cap is supported on the bead by the lugs, the flange cooperating-with the head to maintain the cap against jarring oif before sealing pressure is applied. As pressure is exerted on the top of the cap, the lug formations 22 ride downwardly on the beaded edge and are forced outwardly. Their outward movement is facilitated'by the resilient corrugations, by a slight straightening of the plication. Eventually, the lug formations spring under the shoulder in locking engagement therewith. The gasket 23 is suitably compressed, and

a continuing axial tensionis exerted on the skirt.

Since deformation of the lugformations' is pre vented, due to the mentioned features, during application, it follows that deformation is likewise prevented during removal. Consequently, the cap may be applied and removed repeatedly without injury.

In Figure 2 it is assumed that the finish has a minimum or nearly minimum tolerance, and, consequently, the inner ends of the lug formations are only slightly spaced away vfrom the container walls beneath the shoulder. maximum tolerance, this spacing would of course, be greater. In any event, a continuing skirt tension is maintained, so that the gasket is suitably compressed. 7

Flange strengthens the lower edge of skirt portion [8 but without impairing the free bellows effect of the skirt, since the corrugations are continued through the flange. The flange also acts as a guard, its lower edge lying fairly close to the outer container wall.

With a,

the cap top to the outside of the crest of the bead In use, the cap has been found to give a very excellent seal, the lug formations securely gripping under the container shoulder throughout the range of tolerances of the latter.

In Figure 1, the parts are shown in what may be an actual size, and six lug formations, equidistantly spaced apart, are contemplated. There may be a smaller or greater number'of these formations, according to requirements.

In Figure 5, the lug formation 24 is formed by blanking out a number of edge corrugations and offsetting the blanked out zone inwardly so as to provide a formation whose inner edge extends substantially as a chord with respect to the skirt. The action-of the cap is substantially the same as in the first described form.

In Figures 6 to 8 the cap skirt is provided with a number of lugs 25 whose inner portions 26 are disposed substantially as chords relative to the skirt, the lugs having upper and lower plane surfaces 21 and 28 of which the former terminate upwardly in the lower part of the cylindrical skirt portion 29, the lower portions 28 terminating downwardly in the upperportion of the bottom flange 30. Outside of the lug formations the cap structure is identical with that of Figures 1 to 4.

As the cap is applied there is substantially line contact axially between the lugs and the bead 3| of the container, portions 21 eventually snapping under the bead. The cap is somewhat more easily applied than that of Figures 1 to 4 due to the reduced contact area and the more gradual slope of lug portions 28, and if a mold seam is present on the bead it will not be chipped. In

a cap having a diameter of two and three-quarter inches and a skirt with a depth of five-sixteenths inch, the lugs may each have a circumferential dimension of five-sixteenths inch, for example. In such a cap six lugs are desirably provided although the number may be varied. The lugs are ordinarily formed by blanking out the skirt corrugations, but the skirt maybe formed with corrugations except where the lugs are formed.

In Figures 9 and 10 the skirt 32 is the same as in the previously described embodiment with the exception that the skirt is brought in a little further circumferentially at the point 33 and lug formations are omitted. A substantially continuous circumferential lock is secured. Reference numeral 34 designates a small opening in and through which a pointed instrumentality, such as a pin, can be inserted slantwise to puncture the gasket as at, 34' for vacuum relief when the cap is to be removed. Due to its disposition to the outside of the crest of the lip the opening 34 does not impair the seal between the bead and gasket. The use of the opening is, of course, not confined to the species of cap shown in Figures 9 andlO.

The cap 36 shown in Figures 11 to 13 is exactly like the cap of Figure 1, except that the lower portion of the skirt is provided with reentrant scallops 31 which interrupt the lower inturned flange 38 and extend into the lower outwardly flared portion 39 short of the intermediate portion 40, the latter being provided with in-pressed lugs 4 l. The blank from which the cap is formed is shown in dot and dash lines at 4|, Figure 13. As shown, the skirt has eight equidistantly spaced scallops 3'! which are separated by straight (i. e. in the same plane) edges 42. Six lugs are shown, these being equidistantly spaced and related at random to the scallops. However, the lugs may be vertically registered with the scallops or with the edge portions 42, with the number oflugs equal to the number of scallops. Of course, the

number of scallops and lugs may be varied a strength of the locking zone 40 and consequently is chosen to meet the requirements of the situation.

The cap 43 of Figures 14 and 15, is exactly like that of Figures 9 and 10, except that it is provided with scallops, as at 44, as in Figures 11 to 13.

"Of course, variations in detail from the specific disclosure herein may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A sheet metal snap-on cap adapted to be applied to a container having a mouth surrounded by a bead, \said cap comprising a circular top having a diameter substantially greater than the maximum diameter of said bead, a resilient circumferential skirt depending from said top and provided with corrugations extending in axial planes and completely throughout the length of the skirt, said skirt being bent inwardly below the top and then outwardly to provide oppositely flared upper and lower annular surfaces merging in an abrupt bend at an intermediate portion which has a minimum diameter somewhat less than said maximum diameter so that when the cap is placed on the container said portion will directly support the cap on the container bead, the lower edge of the lower flared surface of the skirt being continued in an inwardly and downwardly directed annular flange which cooperates with said bead to retain the cap on said bead in position to receive sealing pressure whereby said portion is forced past said bead and then springs into direct locking engagement. thereunder, and a.

gasket fixed against the inner surface of said top provided with corrugations extending in axial planes and completely throughout the length of the skirt, said "skirt being bent inwardly below the top and then outwardly to provid oppusitely in an abrupt bend at an intermediate portion which has a minimum diameter somewhat'less' than said maximum diameter so that when the cap is placed on the container said portion will dicap is placed on the container said portion will directly support the cap on the container head,

the lower edge of the lower flared surface of thel skirt being continued in an inwardly and downwardly directed annular flange, the lower portion of said skirt being provided with scallops or recesses which interrupt said flange and extend into said lower surface short of said intermediate portion, said flange cooperating with said bead to retain tl e cap on said bead in position to receive sealing pressure whereby said intermediate porflared upper and lower annular surfaces merging tion is forced past-said bead and then springs into direct locking engagementthereunder, and a gasket fixed against the inner surface of said top in position to engage the bead to provide a top seal.

rectly support the cap on the container bead, said L intermediate portion including circumi'ereritially spaced inwardly projecting lugs, the lower 'edge of the lower flared surface of the skirt being con tinued in an inwardly and downwardly directed annular flange which cooperates with said bead to retain the cap on said bead in position tore-- ceive sealing pressure whereby said portion is forced past said bead and then springs into direct locking engagement thereunder, and a gasket fixed against the inner surface of said top in position to engage the bead to provide a top seal..

3. A cap according to claim 2 wherein the inner extremities of the lugs. are disposed substantially as chords relative to the skirt, the lugs-having flat upper and lower portions of which the latter terminate downwardly in the upper portion of said flange.

4. A sheet metal snap-on"cap adapted to .be applied to a container-having a mouth surrounded by a bead, said cap comprising a circular top having a diameter substantially greater than the maximum diameter of said head, a resilient circumferential skirt depending from said top and provided with corrugations extending in axial planes and completely throughout the"lengtfi"o"f the skirt, said skirt being bent inwardly below the top and then outwardly to provide oppositely flared upper and lower annular surfaces merging in an abrupt bend at an intermediate portion which hasia minimum diameter somewhat less than said maximum diameter so that when the 5 A sheet metal snap-on cap adapted to be applied to a container having a mouth surrounded by a bead, said cap comprising a circular top having a diameter substantially greater than the maximum diameter of said beadr a resilient circumferential skirt depending from said top and provided with corrugations extending in axial planes and completely throughout the-length of the skirt, said skirt being bent inwardly below the .top and then outwardly to provide oppositely flared upper and lower annular surfaces merging in an abrupt bend at an intermediate portion which has a minimum diameter somewhat less than said maximum diameter so that when the cap is placed on the container said portion will directly support the cap on the container bead, said intermediate portion including circumferentially spaced inwardly'projecting lugs, the lower edge of the lower flared surface of the skirt being continued in an inwardly and downwardly directed annular flange, the lower portion of said skirt being provided with scallops or recesses which interrupt said flange and extend into said lower surface short of said intermediate portion, said flange cooperating with said bead to retain the cap on said bead in position to receive sealing 'pre'ssure whereby said intermediate portion is forced past said :bead and then springs into direct locking engagement thereunder, and a gasket fixed against the inner surface of said top in position to engage the bead to provide a .top seal.

EDWARD M. ENKUR. 

